The HCMC Museum and Viet Nam Institute of Culture and Arts co-organized the event, which features nearly 90 pictures selected from French archives, including Ecole Francaise d’extreme-orient (EFEO), Societe des Missions Etrangeres de Paris and Quai Branly Museum in Paris.

From the 1930s to 1960s, French colonial and military officials, evangelists and scholars took these photos, in the hope of recording life in highland villages of some ethnic groups such as Ba na, Gia Rai and M’Nong at that time.

The exhibition covers four areas, including the gong orchestra’s structure, the custom of gong playing, the background of gong music and the break with tradition.

The event, which runs until September 31, is part of a series of activities aimed at preserving and promoting values of the Central Highland’s gong culture.